Concrete Masonry Construction

Concrete masonry construction has become more prevalent in the past century as concrete has become the most affordable, and one of the most durable, materials on the market. Concrete masonry construction can be found in virtually every type of building construction built today.

Without concrete masonry construction, building construction projects would literally not be able to get off the ground. On the first floor, the concrete masonry construction serves more than one purpose. The foundation is normally made of concrete, as it is the toughest and most durable material available. The foundation, which can also be called a slab, serves as the base of the project. All other aspects of construction are based on foundation.

The first step in the building process is the development of an architectural design. While in some cases the client can have a home built to their exact specifications, cost and building codes frequently lead to the adaptation of a common design developed by the builder and used hundreds, if not thousands of times. After establishing a floor layout, or plan, and checking to make sure the design meets building code standards, construction begins. During this step, concrete construction material is used to lay the foundation and work on the first floor is started.

Construction of the exterior frame is the first step taken after the foundation is laid. The walls are put up and the structure of the roof is put in place. At this point, concrete masonry construction is used for the flooring of the upper levels; it could also be used for columns, if the building's weight is such that additional support inside is needed. These steps are followed by water and plumbing installation. Weather protection and retaining walls come next. Inside, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) are installed, along with the electrical wiring and plumbing started on the exterior. Insulation is put in and carpet, wood or tile to go over the concrete masonry construction are laid before the walls are put in; wiring for cable and other electronic systems is put in at this time as well. Once the wiring is complete, the walls and ceilings are completed. Personal touches like cabinetry, furnishings and other internal d?cor complete the process.

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